Shawn Spears, the man formerly known as Tye Dillinger in WWE, made a surprise return to NXT yesterday on USA Network.

Dillinger appeared when Ridge Holland was cutting a promo in the ring and the mystery messages that have been appearing on NXT TV for the past few weeks played on the video wall again. A mystery figure with a hoodie came into the ring and took out Holland with a chair before removing the hoodie to reveal himself as fans cheered and chanted “10”.

Spears worked for WWE between 2006 and 2009 and then from 2013 to 2017 under the name of Tye Dillinger. He joined AEW on day one using the Spears name and departed the company in December of last year after almost five years.

His wife Cassie Lee, formerly known as Peyton Royce, tweeted, “Home sweet home” after her husband appeared on TV.

Spears seems to have kept his gimmick and presentation from AEW.